Professor Chester “Tilley” Stout, 89, Butler passed away Monday, March 26, 2012 in the Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Johnson County, he was a son of the late George and Elsie Nave Stout. He was a World War II Navy Veteran. Mr. Stout graduated from East Tennessee State College and pursued predoctoral studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He began his career in 1952 as an educator at Doe Elementary School, Mountain City, where he served as teacher and principal and basketball coach. He further his career beginning in 1962 as a college instructor in the Earth Science Department at East Tennessee State University, providing 38 years of service until his retirement in 2000. He was an avid gardener. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Rainbolt Hilton Stout, on January 28, 2000. He attended Little Doe Baptist Church.

Survivors include three children, Gary Hilton, Butler, and Hilda Stout Dugger of the home and Mona Stout, Johnson City; two grandchildren, Tori Stout, Johnson City and Eric Stout and his wife, Veronica of Elizabethton.

Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31, 2012 in Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton with Rev. Dennis Hamm officiating. Interment followed in Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City. Military honors and pallbearers were provided by the Carter County Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. David Fenner, Jim Rainbolt, Clayton Brown, Ray Stout, Sam Stout, Jerry Stout, Steve Dugger, Richard Cable, Larry Bobbitt, and Larry Potter. The family received friends from 11 am. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home. Friends may also call at the residence. The family would like to express a special “thank you” to Amedisys Home Health Care and to Gail Miller for all her care and being a special friend, also to Gerald Steven Dugger and Teresa Moretz for their help. Condolences may be emailed to mfc@chartertn.net.